Spider Athletic Fund Spotlight - Jane Jenkins
6/16/2022
What inspires you to give to the Spider Athletic Fund?
We believe it is vitally important to contribute to the University's athletics programs. While we each bring our talents and abilities to the table, our student-athletes represent all of us in competition with others and in showcasing our University to the world.
For example, watching our Men’s Basketball team win the Atlantic 10 Championship and ascend to the NCAA tournament was an experience we all savored. Then, we were able to upset Iowa—a team that many prognosticators predicted would make the final four—on the national stage. Unforgettable.
At the University of Richmond, to be an excellent student and an intercollegiate athlete in any sport is exceptionally demanding. We are season-ticket holders for football and basketball, and we also enjoy cheering on our amazing, nationally ranked, conference-champion lacrosse team, too. As the University says, it's a great time to be a Spider!
If you could have dinner with one Spider student-athlete or coach from the past or present who would it be and why?
Tough question—there are so many. If I had to choose one of each, I'd have to pick Dick Tarrant who coached the Spiders through 5 NCAA tournament appearances and was able to build a team of champions on the court and in the classroom. For an athlete, I'd have to choose Leland Melvin, an exceptional football player who went on to become a NASA astronaut and NASA's Associate Administrator for Education: what an amazing combination of talents and abilities.
What excites you the most about the future of Spider Athletics?
look forward to the procession of athletes in each of our sports who have achieved high honors for their academic achievements. This past year, three-quarters of our student-athletes averaged a GPA of 3.0 or better in one of the most rigorous and demanding academic programs in the nation.
If you could give a current student-athlete a piece of advice, what would it be?
To enjoy every moment of your time here at Richmond. The friends you're making here are incredible people—many of them will be your friends forever.
If you were speaking to other alumni or fans, why would you encourage them to also support the Spider Athletic Fund?
The NCAA tournament was an ideal showcase for our University, its students and student-athletes. Our demonstrated sportsmanship, ability to communicate with the Press, and exemplary conduct distinguished us in a way that was positive and memorable.
Of course, the Spider Athletic Fund is designed to support our athletes in their endeavors to become the best athletes and scholars they can be, preparing them for continued excellence during their academic career here and beyond.
